Patrons of unlicensed Cerro Gordo tattoo parlor urged to get tested

Health officials are urging anyone who received a tattoo or body piercing at an unlicensed Clear Lake parlor to immediately be tested for hepatitis and H-I-V. Brian Hanft , Cerro Gordo County’s environmental health service manager, says tattoo parlors are licensed facilities for a reason.

Hanft says the health department wants to make sure people who get tattoos get them from licensed facilities. He says his department closely monitors tattoo parlors to make sure health conditions are right to stop the spread of disease. Hanft says they check on the use of single-use needles and make sure they’re only used once, in addition to the use of autoclaves or steam sterilizers. He says other parts of tattoo parlors are also looked over.

Hanft says they check for hot and cold running water so hands can be washed, that the ceilings, walls and floors are easily cleanable, and the same for the chairs. Hanft says if you got a tattoo from the parlor, make sure you get tested immediately for Hepatitis B or C, and H-I-V.

Charges are pending against Todd and Michaela Cookman after tattooing equipment, allegedly stolen property and firearms were seized from their house at 715 North Fourth Street in Clear Lake. For more information about testing or to schedule an appointment, call the public health department toll-free at 888-264-2581. For more information about tattoo and body piercing safety, you can go to the Cerro Gordo Department of Public Health’s website at “www.cghealth.com”.